Today, I have a good story

Today I have a good story, and it starts now.
I have just been diagnosed with second stage stomach cancer and it has been a great shock to myself, my family, friends and various organisations that I belong to.
The most important factor, is the negativity that surrounds many people who have seen and witnessed their family or friends affected by cancer.
Society needs to change, and people need to bring a positive realisation that each case is different . Also there are different types and stages of cancer.
Today the world is touched by MP Mario Ambrosini, who has fourth stage cancer who has called on the government to decriminalise dagga , as a relief for cancer sufferers.
In my opinion the legalising of marijuana for medical and cancer sufferers has been a world issue, where very little progress has been made. I will never ever take marijuana in any form to bring relief to myself as a cancer sufferer.
I have the utmost faith in my spiritual beliefs and the medical treatment I receive for my cancer. Unfortunately the need to legalise marijuana will open the flood gates for illegal marijuana activities rather than for the treatment for the relief of cancer.
Thus in my opinion as a second stage cancer person, I would not trade my present chemo treatment, for legalising marijuana for cancer and other therapeutic uses, especially when our present medical treatment is working .
Also marijuana relieves pain but causes progressive and irreversible damage to centers in the brain and is not recommended.
Its benefits are transient pain relief but long term damage to the body. This must be researched to prove otherwise .
This is my story of being a cancer victim: no to the legalisation of marijuana and use the medical cancer treatment that works, that the government affords to millions of cancer sufferers daily. Remember we all have to one day die, but when we will never know .
The need for free cancer testing of all South Africans must be government’s priority. The stigma attached to cancer has to be removed from the negativity of many South Africans, as it is going to be a challenge for many sufferers to cope with .
Today, in my good story, as I have the strength and the faith after being diagnosed with cancer, I make a passionate plea to the state president Jacob Zuma and his government to ensure that free cancer testing for all South Africans is made compulsory and that greater awareness and education reaches all of our people including informal and rural areas, to greatly reduce deaths.
Also that the department of health budget is increased to offer the very best in cancer treatment and giving all South Africans a piece of mind ..
A call is for the government to seriously focus on the very best in cancer treatment that will save the lives of millions of our fellow citizens especially our future leaders of this country, who have been diagnosed with cancer.
My good story is only good if cancer can be beaten.

CLLR BRIAN JAYANATHAN
Tongaat
Letter shortened